Program overview

Program length: 8-12 weeks
Class size: 1-2 students per year
Location: Rochester, Minnesota
Affiliated Schools: Minnesota State University, Mankato; University of Minnesota; University of Montana, Missoula

The Speech Language Pathology Internship at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, prepares students in a graduate level speech language pathology program for professional practice in the area of voice and voice-related disorders in an outpatient setting.

Graduation and certification

Upon successful completion of the internship, students will have experience working directly with the patient or the patient's family in assessment, intervention, and counseling. This will count toward practicum. 

Supervision and signing of clinical hours and documentation are performed by Speech Language Pathology clinical staff at Mayo Clinic.

Admissions

For admission to this internship, you must be enrolled in a graduate-level affiliated, accredited speech language pathology program and have arrangements made through your program advisor according to the application process for Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. Our affiliated schools are:

• Minnesota State University, Mankato
• University of Minnesota
• University of Montana, Missoula

Application instructions

If you are interested in completing observation hours or a clinical rotation in the Speech Language Pathology Internship at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, you must have support from your university's program director and clinical director. 

Your affiliate university's Speech Language Pathology program director or clinical director should email the Speech Language Pathology Internship director at Mayo Clinic to indicate their support for your acceptance, as well as to provide your contact information (email address and phone number). Students should not contact the Speech Language Pathology Internship director at Mayo Clinic directly. 

Interview process

Applicants considered for acceptance may be invited for an in-person or virtual interview. 

Tuition and financial aid

You pay tuition to the school that you are attending. Mayo Clinic charges no additional fees. Speech language pathology interns do not receive a stipend. 

You are responsible for providing your living accommodations and transportation. 

Curriculum

The Speech Language Pathology Internship follows the curriculum from the certification handbook for Speech-Language Pathology from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. Your clinical experience includes:

• 25 observation hours in adult speech and language diagnosis and treatment (if not already completed prior to internship)
• Clinical experience in diagnosis and treatment of adult patients with supervision
• Closely supervised and mentored clinical experiences
• Advancement of skills learned in the classroom through practical application
• Appropriate clinical documentation and professional responsibility
• Preparation for integration into a practice or other professional setting

As part of this internship, you:

• Gain skill in the diagnosis and treatment of voice and upper airway disorders and provide patient and family education in the outpatient clinic
• Participate in multidisciplinary clinics. 
• Gain experience in:
  • Clinical evaluation of patients with voice disorders, inducible laryngeal obstruction, gender-affirming voice care, and chronic cough
  • Instrumental evaluation with flexible laryngoscopy and videostroboscopy
  • Evaluation and treatment of patients following total laryngectomy
  • Develop and implement treatment plans to include setting specific time-bound measurable goals and objectives
  • Provide education and information to patients, caregivers, and family members regarding various disorders, treatment techniques, and compensatory strategies, including development of a home program for independent practice
  • Provide an in-service to the speech pathology department. A topic related to and based upon current research and literature will be mutually agreed upon by the student and supervising speech language pathologist by midterm of internship and presented during the week prior to the final week of internship. 

Schedule

The learning schedule will vary depending on the assignment. You will follow the schedule of your designated supervising speech language pathologist. Hours may include four to five days per week with 8-hour days.

Accreditation

See accreditation information for Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science.